Pedestrian & Bicycle Accident Questions & Answers

Direct answer

Responsibility depends on the evidence — right-of-way, signal phase, crosswalk status, visibility, and what each person could reasonably have seen. Drivers are generally required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but the specific duties depend on Missouri law and the facts. Fault is not assumed; it is established from the evidence.

Direct answer

Drivers are generally required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but the specific duties depend on Missouri law and the facts — marked versus unmarked crosswalks, signal phases, and pedestrian conduct all matter. A crosswalk crash often centers on right-of-way and whether the driver could see the pedestrian. This page does not provide legal advice on right-of-way for a particular situation.

Direct answer

A pedestrian outside a crosswalk may still have a claim, but the right-of-way analysis differs. Drivers still owe a duty to exercise reasonable care, and a pedestrian’s location does not automatically bar recovery. Missouri’s comparative fault may reduce recovery by the pedestrian’s assigned percentage of fault rather than barring the claim. The facts decide it.

Direct answer

Turning-vehicle collisions are a common bicycle pattern. Right-turning vehicles may fail to scan for cyclists on their right, and left-turning vehicles may cross an oncoming cyclist’s path. Fault turns on right-of-way, lane position, signal phase, and what each person could see. Cyclists have the right to use the roadway, and drivers are expected to share it safely.

Direct answer

The police report, witness statements, photographs of the scene and roadway, the damaged bicycle and helmet, any available video, and the complete medical record. The bicycle, helmet, and clothing are physical evidence — photograph and preserve them before anything is repaired or discarded. Road-condition evidence can be especially important where pavement contributed.

Direct answer

Call the police so an official report is created, and preserve any evidence — photographs, witness contacts, and nearby video identified quickly. When the at-fault driver cannot be identified, uninsured motorist coverage on the injured person’s own policy, or on certain other policies, may apply. Prompt police involvement helps preserve evidence.

Direct answer

Yes, in some situations. When the at-fault driver is uninsured, underinsured, or cannot be identified after a hit-and-run, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on the injured person’s own auto policy, or on certain other policies, may apply even though the injured person was on foot or on a bike. Whether it applies depends on the policy and the facts.

Direct answer

No. Liability depends on the evidence, not on who was on foot or on a bike. Drivers generally must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and share the road safely with cyclists, but pedestrians and cyclists also have duties under Missouri law. Missouri’s comparative fault may apportion responsibility based on the facts. No universal liability statement applies.